Kazakh Police Intimidate and Harass Parishioners of Imprisoned Pastor"You are worse than spies"

10/31/2013 Washington, D.C.International Christian Concern International Christian Concern (ICC) has recently learned that police in Astana, Kazakhstan have been aggressively intimidating and harassing members of the beleaguered Grace Protestant Church. The church's 67-year-old pastor, Bakhytzhan Kashkumbayev (Pastor B.K.), was detained by Kazakh authorities in May as part of a nationwide crackdown on religious minorities.According to ICC sources, the church's membership has radically decreased since Pastor B.K. was arrested on trumped up charges of "harming the health" of a church member. "They are scared to go to church," said ICC's contact, who wishes to remain unnamed for security reasons. "His church keeps getting smaller and smaller."After collecting information on all of church's regular attendants, police reportedly began calling and harassing past and present parishioners. Police also demanded that congregants give statements alleging Pastor B.K. forcibly coerced church attendance and monetary gifts from members, reports ICC's contact.When one congregant asked the police why they have been calling and harassing the members of the church, an officer reportedly responded, "You are worse than spies. You bring Kazakhs to Christ."Pastor B.K. was briefly released to house arrest on October 9th; however, just minutes after his release, he was re-arrested on charges of "extremism." He is in very poor health, and has continually been denied necessary medical attention. The charges against Pastor B.K. carry a potential prison sentence of three to seven years.

Corey Bailey, ICC's Regional Manager for Central Asia said, "Christians and people of faith in Kazakhstan live in constant fear. One example of why is the treatment of Pastor Kashkumbayev, which is completely unacceptable. Soviet-era mental torture, denial of medical attention, incarceration in an insane asylum, and attempts by the police to intimidate citizens to give false testimony are just a fraction of what has gone wrong in this case. Kazakhstan claims to be a country of religious freedom, yet in the last five years, and especially since the religion law was introduced in 2011, all we have seen in this country is a steep rise in the denial of basic human rights for the freedom of religion of its citizens. The International community should be outraged and must defend Pastor Kashkumbayev by demanding his fair treatment and release from prison."Contact Kazakhstan Embassies to demand Pastor Kashkumbayev's immediate release.Washington D.C., USAPhone: (202) 232-5488 Fax: 202-232-5845washington@kazakhembus.com Ontario, CanadaPhone: (416) 593-4043 Fax: (416) 593-4037kazconscan@on.aibn.com Bruxelles, BelgiumPhone: (+32-2) 374-9562 Fax: (+32-2) 374-5091kazakhstan.embassy@swing.beBern, SwitzerlandPhone: (+41-31) 351-7972 Fax: (+41-31) 351-7975mission.kazakhstan@ties.itu.intFor interviews, contact Corey Bailey, Regional Manager for Central Asia: RM-Asia@persecution.org# # #You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference ICC (International Christian Concern) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

"Heavily armed militants, suspected members of Boko Haram, attacked Damaturu, the capital of Nigeria's Yobe state, last Thursday, Open Doors USA reports. It appears that hundreds of members of the Muslim terrorist sect took part in the surprise offensive in an area that hosts government institutions but is also dominated by Christians. According to the BBC, the militants also attacked a hospital, stole drugs and drove off in ambulances. The death toll of the gun battle between the militants and the army, which lasted several hours, has not been confirmed."

Who Knew Notes Could Kill? Another Christian Accused of Blasphemy in PakistanWilliam Stark, ICC's Representative in Pakistan

10/29/2013 Washington, D.C.International Christian ConcernOn October 8, Adnan Masih's life was radically changed when Abid Mehmood, a Muslim man, entered a police station in Lahore, Pakistan and filled a case against Adnan accusing him of making blasphemous remarks against Muhammad and the Quran. Like all Christians accused of blasphemy in Pakistan, Adnan and his family are now forced to live in a state of constant fear. Pursued by both the police and Islamic extremists, Adnan has gone into hiding fearing for his own life and the lives of his family.Christian Fleeing False Blasphemy ChargeIn an interview with ICC Ilyas Rehmat, a Christian human rights activist, shared the details of the case. "Irfan Masih, a Christian, and [Adnan's accuser], Mehmood worked at a glass and aluminum shop together for the past year."Mehmood has been described as a fundamental Muslim and reportedly has connections with the Islamic extremist organization Jamaat-ul-Dawat, which has been banned in Pakistan. According to reports, Mehmood kept a copy of the book "I Asked the Bible Why Qurans were Burnt," at work, which is full of unauthentic and biased religious points of view against Christianity. According to ICC's sources, both the book and the author are supposed to be banned in Pakistan."On the day of the incident, Adnan Masih, a Christian pastor trained at the United Pentecostal seminary, covered a shift for his brother, Irfan Masih, at the glass and aluminum shop," Rehmat said. At the shop, Adnan discovered the anti-Christian book and began reading it. Due to its anti-Christian perspective and Adnan's background as an Evangelist, Adnan wrote comments in the book arguing against the anti-Christian viewpoints using Bible verses to support his arguments.

These comments enraged Mehmood, so he took the book with the written comments into a local police station in Lahore and filed a case against Adnan, accusing him of writing blasphemous remarks against Muhammed and the Quran on different pages of the book. Mehmood also contacted members of Jamaat-ul-Dawat and reported the incident.Upon discovering the accusations against him, Adnan fled Lahore and went into hiding. Those closest to Adnan say that he fears that he will be murdered by Jamaat-ul-Dawat or executed the Pakistani government if he is discovered.

When police were unable to arrest Adnan, they arrested three other Christian men in connection with the incident including Mushtaq Masih, the Christian owner of the glass and aluminum shop where the "blasphemy" occurred; Irfan Masih, Adnan's brother; and Kamram Masih, another relative of Adnan. The police are now using these arrests to pressure Adnan, who remains in hiding, to turn himself in as soon as possible.Local Muslim Community's Violent ReactionWhen news of this incident spread, the local Muslim community reacted with violence. "Hundreds of Muslims carrying weapons and sticks were provoked and led by clerics to attack Christian houses [near where the incident occurred] on October 11, after Friday prayers," a local Christian human rights activist shared with ICC."They stoned the houses, broke the doors and windows and shouted slogans against the Christian community and faith. [Fortunately,] the mob was controlled by the police, otherwise we would have seen another 'Joseph Colony incident' in Lahore. Dozens of Christian men and women were reported injured during this attack," the local activist added. The attackers reportedly demanded that Adnan be hanged publically as they rampaged through the Christian neighborhood."All the Christian families have fled from the area to unknown safe places. We are worried for our lives, property, and belongings," the local activist said. "We want to go back to our homes, safely, as soon as possible."Reaction of the Families of the Christians Arrested

In an interview with ICC, Hahira Mushtaq, wife of Mushtaq Masih, described her desperation now that her husband has been arrested and imprisoned in connection with this incident. "We have not slept properly for a single night since [the arrest], due to fear of being attacked." Holding her youngest daughter, Tahira said, "I have no more excuses or answers for Sitaish to calm her and keep her from waiting for her father to come home.""I beg Jesus to set him free as soon as possible," she prayed as she wept for her husband in prison.Adnan remains in hiding and out of the custody of both the police and the Jamaat-ul-Dawat extremist group. The three Christian men who have been arrested in Adnan's place remain in prison, and tensions in Lahore remain high. Several Christian organizations have attempted to help bring about a peaceful resolution to this most recent blasphemy accusation against a Christian, but many fear this incident could be the prelude to another indecent of communal violence against the Christian community of Pakistan. For interviews, contact William Stark, ICC's Representative in Pakistan: RM-AfricaAsia@persecution.org

# # #You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference ICC (International Christian Concern) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington, D.C.-based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

The Church Under Fire in EgyptLatest Church Attack Kills Five in CairoTodd Daniels, Regional Manager for the Middle East

10/25/2013 Washington, D.C. International Christian ConcernThe terrorist attack on a wedding service at a church in the Al-Warrak suburb of Cairo on Sunday, Oct. 20, is the latest evidence of the seriousness of the situation in Egypt. Violence against Egypt's minority Christian community has shown no sign of abating following the dramatic increase in tensions since the ouster of former Muslim Brotherhood president Mohammed Morsi. In the aftermath of the Al-Warrak attack there has been a distinct shift in tone, however, as many in the country are coming to see these attacks, and the Islamist agenda, as dangerous for Egyptian society as a whole.Attacks on Christians are Aiming to Destroy EgyptSunday evening, the Church of Saint Mary and St. Michael was the site of huge celebration. Inside the church, a wedding that had started at 8 p.m. was about to conclude. Outside, friends and family of bridegroom, Ramzy Khalifa, and his fiancée, Catherine, were gathering for their wedding ceremony at 9 p.m to begin. It was 8:45 p.m. when the attack happened, Ayad Zakhary, a servant in the church, told ICC. "Two armed masked Muslim terrorists riding motorcycles and carrying automatic weapons opened fire randomly on the people who were in the front of the Church," Zakhary recounted.The attack on the church killed four Christians that night, including the mother of the bridegroom, Camellia Helmy Attia. Two young girls, Mariam Nabil Fahmy and Mariam Ashraf Masiha, and 46 year old Samir Fahmy Azar were also killed. At least 18 others were wounded in the attack and taken to the hospital. Mohamed Ibrahim Ali Mahmoud, 17 years old, died in the hospital on ThursdayZakhary recognized that the casualties could have been much worse. The time of the attack was just before the finishing of the wedding ceremony. "Many guests were still in the church and the wedding prayer hadn't finished yet," Zakhary told ICC. Only a few guests who left the church were outside with those waiting for the next wedding to begin. He said that if the attack were at 9 p.m. exactly, the victims would have been increased.

Father Dawood Ibrahim, head priest of the church, told ICC about the impact the attack has had on the community. "All of us are surprised about what happened," said Fr. Ibrahim. "We felt the insult, indignity, and sadness. It was like a shock for us. It was terrible, the wedding converted to sorrow. All the people, Muslims and Christians, in Al-Warrak are very sad about what happened last Sunday. [The terrorists] aim is to destroy Egypt."Lack of Security for Egypt's ChristiansSince the removal of Mohammed Morsi in early July, Egypt's Christians have come under devastating attacks. As ICC previously reported, the violence is at a level unseen for centuries. Most of the attacks have occurred outside of the Egyptian capitol, though there have been some attacks in Cairo as well. Fr. Ibrahim explained to ICC that the attack on his church highlights the lack of security for Christians. "They choose our Church because they made sure that there are no police protecting the church, and they carried out their plan easily," he told ICC. Authorities have begun investigating the security forces who were supposed to be responsible for providing protection in the area of Al-Warrak. Ahram reports, "The investigation has revealed that security forces stopped protecting the church in mid-August due to a lack of weapons." As attacks have repeatedly happened with seeming impunity, some have begun to voice complaints that "the state deliberately fails to fulfill its role towards the protection of the property and the churches of Copts," coming from a statement by the Revolutionary Socialists movement on Tuesday. Search for Unity, Not Division

This latest attack on a church in Cairo seems to have struck closer to home for political leaders in Egypt, and may be a catalyst to finding some real solutions to bring an end to the violence.

According to MidEast Christian News, the Prime Minister himself, Dr. Hazem el-Beblawi, visited the victims in the hospital, many of whom are in critical care. "Such heinous acts will not succeed in driving a wedge between the Christian and Muslim nation's fabric, and the government is watching carefully the miserable and desperate attempts to sow seeds of discord among the nation's children," Beblawi added in the statement.

Fr. Ibrahim has been encouraged by the support the church has received. "All the community has stood beside us after this attack and all the Egyptian people condemn this bad terrorist attack on the church," he told ICC.The church is calling for increased security for churches. "The attacks on the Christians have been increased after the removal of Morsi," Ibrahim told ICC.

While increased security is the first step, it cannot be the only step taken if there is to be an actual decrease in the violence. Ziad Akl, writing for Daily News Egypt, said "The attack on the Church [Sunday] presents us with two facts: first, the terrorism threat Egypt is facing is certainly progressing very rapidly and second, the strategies put forth to counter this threat are clearly not effective." Akl continued, "So far, the strategies used to counter terrorism are solely security-based. The political, economic, religious and cultural aspects of countering terrorism remain out of strategic focus until today."The international community has a role to play in assisting Egypt in finding strategies that do work. Leaders around the world have condemned the attacks and are calling for the Egyptian government to find a way to protect its citizens. Canadian Ambassador for Religious Freedom, Andrew Bennett, said, "The attacks against the worship places in Egypt are unacceptable," in a statement released on Tuesday. A group of U.S. Senators, including Bob Corker (R-TN) and Roy Blunt (R-MO), have also issued a call for greater protections for Christians and urged Secretary of State John Kerry to provide a "clear response from the U.S." This incident highlights the importance of the now vacant office of Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom and the proposed Special Envoy for Religious Freedom, in working to address issues of violence against religious minorities.For interviews, contact Todd Daniels, Regional Manager for the Middle East: RM-ME@persecution.org

# # #You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference ICC (International Christian Concern) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington, D.C.-based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

"A mob attacked worshippers at an overnight service at the Gilgal Christian Worship Center in Pansiansi, Mwanza City, northern Tanzania, around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Open Doors USA reports. 35-year-old Elia Lunyamila, a youth leader, died. Two other worshippers sustained serious machete wounds and were taken to a hospital in Mwanza district. The motive for the attack is not known, but a robbery has been ruled out. The Mwanza police commander confirmed the incident and said police were investigating."

Please read For Saeed Abedini's Wife and Family, Year-Long Imprisonment in Iran Takes Its Toll, by Grace Thornton, Baptist Press, at Religion Today." "Be patient and endure." From an Iranian jail cell, Saeed Abedini penned those words in a letter to his daughter Rebekka for her seventh birthday this year. But as the American pastor marked a year in Iran's brutal Evin Prison with no hint of a coming release, "enduring" is taking a toll on wife and two children in Boise, Idaho."Rebekka and her brother Jacob, 5, know they're growing up without their father present to mark milestones or sing to them at bedtime. Abedini's wife Naghmeh -- who hates flying -- keeps an intense travel schedule speaking and lobbying for her husband's release, according to WORLD Magazine."To a degree, she's seeing some payoff. On the heels of President Obama expressing concern for Abedini during in a Sept. 27 phone call with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, the European Parliament called on Iran's government Oct. 10 to release the pastor and seven other prisoners. Human rights lawyer Attieh Fard also addressed the issue of Iran's mistreatment of Christians at a Sept. 24 meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council, urging Rouhani to release 42 Iranian Christians in prison and 45 awaiting trial, according to World Watch Monitor, a religious liberty advocacy organization."Please read Christian Pastor's Wife: Obama Asked Rouhani to Release My Husband, by the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, at persecution.org. "The wife of Iranian-American pastor Saeed Abedini who has been sentenced to eight years in prison, said that during the September 27 telephone conversation between Barack Obama and Hassan Rouhani, the release of her husband was discussed. Saeed's case is one of the most visible of the many human rights abuses committed by the Iranian regime, which works to silence views contrary to its own both politically, and, as in Saeed's case, religiously."

Read Two Pastors Killed in Kenya's Coastal Area, by Morning Star News, at Religion Today."Christians at Vikwantani Redeemed Gospel Church in Mombasa, Kenya arrived for worship Sunday morning (Oct. 20) only to learn that their pastor had been shot to death in their building the night before. Those attending the service began to weep as a church member described what he and others found when they went to the church building late the previous night: the body of pastor Charles Matole slumped in a plastic seat, a Bible in his hand, blood streaming from his head.

" “His skull was badly damaged,” the church member told Morning Star News..."Sunday night (Oct. 20), another pastor was killed in Kilifi, 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Mombasa. Ebrahim Kidata of East African Pentecostal Church appeared to have been strangled and left in some bushes, authorities said. He had been riding his motorcycle, which was stolen.

"The murders come on the heels of rioting in Mombasa by Muslims enraged at the killing of sheikh Ibrahim Omar and three others on a road near Mombasa (see Morning Star News, Oct. 7). A church leader in Mombasa said Muslims have accused churches of being “quiet” about the murders of Omar and his predecessor."

Trials make the promise sweet; Trials give new life to prayer; Trials bring me to His feet, Lay me low, and keep me there.

"God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and subjecting them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many long miles with heavy backpacks of sorrow. Well, Christian, may this not account for the troubles through which you are passing? Is the Lord bringing out your graces and making them grow? Is it for this reason He contends with you?"